Randy felt bad, so he stopped at the liquor store and bought some beer. He drank half of it and went up to Stan's room. Sitting in his son's room made him sad; he hated how quiet the house had become. A week ago, he would have given anything for some silence. He ended up falling asleep on his son's tiny bed and woke up to a phone call from Sharon. "Hello?"

"Randy! Oh Randy, it's incredible!" Sharon's excited voice came through the speaker.

Randy rubbed his head. "Sharon, why are you yelling?" Did she know he had been drinking?

"Randy! Stan is finally responding!" Sharon continued. "Kyle and his mother came over. I don't know why but Kyle's presence is waking Stan up!"

Randy sat up in bed, a clatter of beer cans fell to the floor. "What! Stan's awake?"

Sharon sighed. "Well not fully but he moved his foot and he's trying to breathe on his own."

"Good enough. I can't believe it. I..." Randy fought tears, but they came anyway, which he hated. "I was so afraid we were going to lose him." He wipes his eyes. "I love you, Sharon. Do you want me to spend the night with him?"

"Now that I know he's pulling through, yes. If you want to stay with him tonight, I would be ok. I think. I want to be there as soon as he opens his eyes but who knows when that will happen." Sharon wearily sat down in a chair in the waiting room.

"Give me half an hour to take a shower and I'll be there." Randy wiped his face; the shower would get rid of any trace of alcohol and tears.

The night dragged on as Randy sat with Stan in his hospital room. Occasionally Stan would jerk in his sleep, which was terrifying. The nurse told him that was him trying to breathe on the ventilator and it was a good thing. He squeezed Stan's hand, wondering when his son would squeeze back. Occasionally Stan would focus and blink. But he could be looking at Randy or the wall behind him. At least Stan didn't have the rash anymore and his face only looked like he had two black eyes and a busted lip. Randy sighed and rubbed his son's head again.

Sharon woke up the next morning feeling slightly more refreshed than yesterday. She was still worried about her son but knew he was in good hands and that Randy is with him now. After making herself a cup of coffee she called her husband. "Any changes?"

Randy rubbed his tired eyes as he stepped away from Stan's bed. "Doctor says they lessened the allergy medicine and he's getting better at breathing. They say that will help make the bruises go away faster. Still on that ugly tube but not for long. I try to talk to him and hold his hands."

Sharon frowned at this. "Is he responding? Twitching or anything?"

Randy looked back at Stan in his bed. "Once in a while, but I don't know if that's me or if he's doing it randomly. It's better if he responds to a person. They asked maybe to call Kyle to come after school again?"

"Of course. I would love it if he responded to me but as long as he does it to someone, I think it's a good thing. I'll call Kyle's mom again."

Randy's stomach grumbled. "Sharon? Can you bring me an egg mc muffin?"

"Yes Randy." She rolled her eyes and sighed.

Sharon arrives time later with the food. McDonald's was like an unspoken peace offering between the two of them in hard times.

Randy met Sharon in the lobby, with a kiss. He eagerly grabbed the fast-food bag. "They told me no food back there."

Sharon nodded as she sat at a table. She opened a happy meal. She knew Stan couldn't eat it, but it felt wrong to not get him something. She pulled out the little toy and unwrapped it.

Nurse Alexandra comes out, "Good morning Mrs. Marsh. Did you want to come back and see him?"

"Yes, thank you." She doesn't touch her food and let's Randy have it. She looks down at the little toy. Randy gives Sharon a kiss with his mouth full of French fries. She gives a small smile as she follows Stan's nurse back.

She looks down at Stan and touches his face and gives him a careful kiss on the forehead. "Stanley sweetie, Mommy is here." She takes his hand and kisses it too. "Sweetheart, look, I got you a little surprise today from a happy meal. Want to see?" She puts the toy in his hand "Look honey, it's a Chinpokomon! You like those don't you? You really like him, don't you? He looks like a little elephant. What a lucky boy! Maybe you can show Kyle later."

Stan sat on top of a rock, tugging the multicolored strings attached to his foot and hands. Kenny is so still. "Kenny? You want to play with me?"

Kenny's eyes snap open. "I can't…we're different. You made your choice. Go play with Kyle. It's the better choice."

"Kenny…" Stan whined. "You don't like it here as much as I do. Come play with us. You'll like it." Stan looks down at his hands, a rosy tint to him and his clothes in color. Kenny is getting blurry, taking in the color of his surroundings. "This isn't good for you. You can't give up."

Stan reaches for Kenny's hand, but he jerks away. "Go! Get out of here. Go return to the good life."

Stan sniffs a little at Kenny yelling at him when there's a crash at the wall of ice. Stan is scared but Kenny looks up curiously. Stan pulls his strings to see something else poking in the hole.

"Digamoon goes rawwrrr!" Screamed the large yellow elephant made of metal spaceship. His trunk knocked against the ice sheet causing it to crack. Stan hid from the Digamoon, fear causing him to hyperventilate. He noticed the strings on his hands getting thicker. Kenny looks up and even he comes a little closer as Stan puts his hand to the ice sheet, seeing it melt ever so slightly.

"You can add it to your other chinkpokey men creatures collection." Sharon was telling her son, placing the toy in his right hand.

Alexandra was checking Stan's blood pressure, amazed how much he had improved in one night. She listened for more breath sounds with her stethoscope. They were stronger than yesterday but out of rhythm, but soon enough he would get it. "Try this." She told Sharon as she took the Chinpokoman and ran it along Stan's hand and up his arm. "See, look at his pulse increase, he's responding more and more."

Sharon ran the toy along his arm like shown. "Do you feel that sweetie? How about this?" "Gently runs fingers in his hair and out his eyes."

Stan looks up as everything looks a little clearer, less of the heavy sinking violet that seemed to be dragging Kenny down. He goes right to the sheet of ice and finds a small hole in one of the cracks to peer through. He can hear soothing words.

"I love you so much Stanley. More than the entire world. You are my special little man and I miss seeing your happy smile and those pretty eyes. You are such a special boy Stanley. I love you baby."

"I love you too, mommy. I want to go home." Stan cries out, eyes tearing up.

"I don't know if you can tell, but it's easier to see with a light." Alexandra shined the light in Stan's eyes. "You can see his pupils expand and contract so at least the light is affecting him. When he's coming more out of his coma his eyes will do that to the sound of a familiar voice. We call that a three. Hopefully in another twenty-four hours he will be there."

Stan squinted his eyes and fell back at the blinding light. "Owww." He cried out and went back over to Kenny's side. Done with the mysterious ice sheet for now.

"Is there anything else we can do to help with his light stimuli?" Sharon asks.

"You can also tickle him, squeeze his hands, run the toy up his arm, and of course talk to him. You won't get as dramatic of a response but eventually our goal is he will respond more." She pats Sharon on the shoulder. "Any questions?"

"Is there a time frame when he could move to the next step in all this? When might he start responding stronger? I understand he needs to heal but I just miss him. I miss him being able to respond in the usual ways."

"Hopefully he'll be at level three in twenty-four to forty eight hours. But he's halfway there. A six is fully aware. Six is the goal."

Sharon nods at the nurse, stroking Stan's hair back. "Thank you, I'll do all I can to help him get there."

The violet light was lessening. It wasn't as thick and smothering as before. At least on Stan's side. He lifted heavy eyes, not exactly sure what was going on, just that he was sleepy and didn't want to be anymore. He would overhear mommy and daddy and wanted to cry out to them. Their hushed and frantic tones scared him. Something bad was happening and he knew he was the cause of it.

Then Kyle would come, and it was the most joy he had experienced in a long time. He wanted to fight against his sleepiness because Kyle was here to play with him, and he was desperate to play back.

He kept fighting against something, he knew he could be in control. He just had to push through the force to get back in control. He had to play with Kyle next time he knew he was around.

He looked to Kenny, encircled in the thick of the violet. "Kyle is here to play again."

Kenny sighed and shrugged heavy shoulders. "I told you, things are different for me. You go play and live your life. I'm stuck here."

Stan hesitated. "I know I can't grab your hand to get you to play. But I'll get you to come play with me and Kyle again soon. I promise."

Kenny looked at him, not impressed.

"Mrs. Broflovski and Kyle are here to visit." Nurse Alexandra said to Sharon. "They brought you food, if you need an escort to switch off."

Sharon looked up from her son. "Yes, that would be fine. I'll allow them both in so I can eat."

Sheila helped her son wash his hands and both gowned up. Tears fell once again as Sheila entered Stan's room holding Kyle. She did her prayer once more before she carefully set Kyle down on Stan's bed. "Hello Stanley, bubbe. I'm happy you're feeling better."

Kyle scooted closer to his friend "Hi, Stan! I'm a fireman Kyle today! Fireman Kyle is gonna save you! The castle is on fire. I'll save you!"

Down in the violet murky place, Stan's spirits rose again when he heard Kyle. "Yes, save me, save me. I hate it here."

Alexandra observed and saw Stan's pulse raise again and saw the boy was trying to take breaths again. "Yes, fireman Kyle. You're here for your friend."

Kyle took out a small fire truck toy and plastic dog that goes with it. "Beep beep! Boom boom go the truck!" He runs the car down Stan's leg.

"Be gentle, Kyle." Sheila said, running her fingers through Stan's hair and fussing with his toys. Putting the puppy in one hand and the teddy bear on his other hand.

Stan sits on the rock near Kenny, hand on his chin. He sees some commotion from the sheet of ice. "Come on Kenny, at least check it out with me."

Kenny just glares at him and shakes his head. Stan goes closer to the sheet of ice, to his surprise he's met with the lights of a big fire truck and the happy barks of a real-life Dalmatian wearing a fire helmet. "You're here to help me?" Stan asks the dog; he smiles as the dog happily licks his face.

"Fire dog is Ruffy's brother. You're my brother, Stan. We're good brothers. Me and fire dog gonna save you Stan, he'll save you with me. Oh no! You wanna be the king, Stan?"

Stan very much wanted to be the king. Kyle was the only one who was treating him like a friend and not something to be feared. He felt something push through like the place he was in was less murky. He was met with a blue dog with red button eyes, his own Ruffy. Ruffy ran up to lick Stan on the face as well. Stan laughed and hugged his old friend back. If he ever got a real dog, he wanted it to be just like Ruffy.

Sheila was fluffing Stan's pillow and looked down to see Stan's hand was grabbing and letting go of his Ruffy toy. "Nurse?" She asked, pointing down.

Kyle continued to play at Stan's feet. "Stan? Firedog rescued you and Ruffy from the castle?"

Alexandra came over, with a kind smile on her face. "Kyle, come here and hold your friend's hand."

"You gotta save the king, firedog!" Kyle goes over and holds Stan's hand." Stan, you're the king and I'm a doctor and fireman, okay? Dr. Fireman will fix you." He pokes Stan in the nose.

"Kyle!" Sheila scolded. Alexandra had her stethoscope out again. "Breath sounds are good, he felt that one. Great news. I'm calling his doctor and parents."

Stan wasn't happy Kyle poked him and responded angrily. But he looked down to feel warmth in his right hand, another hand that was his size in his. He squeezed and felt the squeeze back. Hopefully, Kyle was having fun. Stan knew it's not as fun to play when tired.

Kyle jumped back. "Mom! He touched me!" He squeezed his hand again.

Sheila went to Stan's other side, to grab his other hand. To her surprise Stan pushed her hand away. She would be almost offended, but she knew he was happy to hold Kyle's hand and wanted to save his other hand for his mother's.

Sheila made herself busy by sitting at Stan's bedside and pulling out a book to read to the boys once again. Stan settled hearing the soothing sound of some story. He felt Kyle's hand in his and squeezed back. Looking down at his warm hand could almost forget the darkness and despair behind him. But Kenny's situation still nagged at him.

Randy was wolfing down the food Mrs. Broflovski had made, he looked over at Sharon. "Honey please eat some more."

Sharon gave him an icy glare. "I'm trying but it's hard to eat when our boy hasn't eaten for the last few days. It doesn't feel right. I just don't have an appetite."

"He's eating, it's just not food." Randy sighed and pushed his plate away, feeling bad again. "Jimbo said the fish Shelly caught was a new lake record."

Sharon didn't even respond to Randy. She looked right past him, glancing in the direction of their son's room. "He's hooked up to so much, Randy. More than he ever has been."

"But it's there to keep him alive. I'm sorry it's so scary. I'm scared too. I am." Randy took Sharon's hand in his.

She slipped her hand out of his, resting it in her lap. "Then please don't force me to eat, I just can't eat much right now. Not until Stanley is back to his usual self."

A page sounded over the intercom. "Sharon and Randy Marsh to the PICU."

"Oh no! Now what?" Sharon got up, bolting in the direction of her son's room.

Sheila and Kyle had been escorted out to the waiting room. Sheila tried to keep Kyle busy as more doctors and nurses had come in to evaluate Stan. She saw Sharon and Randy approach. She gave Sharon a hug without thinking.

The hug worried Sharon more than anything. "Sheila, what happened? What is it?" She tried to peek over her.

"Stan started to move his hands around and was squeezing Kyle's hand. They said they had to get a doctor to come examine him and sent us out." Sheila said hurriedly as she kept a firm grip around a whining and squirming Kyle.

"Stan!" The little boy cries out.

Nurse Alexandra comes out, she has a big smile on her face. "Come back we have good news." She touches Kyle on the head. "Thank you, Dr Kyle. You're helping your friend wake up."

Kyle stops fighting his mom's grasp and smiles proudly at her.

"Is our son waking up?" Sharon asked cautiously.

Alexandra shakes her head. "Not quite but he's on his way. He's at a three, rapidly going towards a four. Come back and see him."

Sharon hurries in, at Stan's bedside in an instant. "Stan? Stan honey?" She squeezed his hand.

A small movement from the unconscious Stan, before he starts to squeeze Sharon's hand back.

Sharon nearly fell over as she felt her knees go weak. "Stanley baby." Her eyes filled with tears as she kissed his little moving hand. "That's it baby, wake up, wake up, mommy and daddy are right here for you baby."

Randy goes to hold Stan's hand and is smacked away. "Owww Staaan."

Down in the murky violet place, Stan calms down once he hears his mom's voice. He feels her hand; it feels real in his. His dad's rough hand startled him, and he slapped it away. Where did Kyle go? Everyone is poking and prodding him. He's uncomfortable, tired, and scared. He wants to go hide with Kenny again. He can see the ice barrier melt a bit more.

Sharon's soothing voice floats down from above. "Stanley honey, can you hear me? Mommy loves you, baby."

A group of doctors are consulting in a corner. They approach the Marsh parents. "I'm discussing with the respiratory therapist about getting Stan off the intubation and breathing on his own."

Dr Dave Ross goes to stand at the other side of the bed across from Randy and Sharon.

Sharon and Randy hug each other. "Is there a chance he might be able to breathe on his own tonight?" Sharon asks.

Dr Ross shakes his head. "What we're going to do is start weaning him from the ventilator, slowly. If we did it too fast, he would just have to be put back on it which increases the chance for damage."

Sharon nods and goes back to her son, her hand shaking in anticipation. "Did you hear that baby? You're getting better! We can't wait to hear you talking and laughing again. You are such a strong little boy."

Randy goes to touch Stan's hand again, this time his son doesn't slap him but his hand remains slack. He just keeps squeezing Sharon's hand.

"We'll switch his intubation over now. Any questions?" The doctor asks.

"Will it hurt? Will he be in any pain when you switch out his breathing tube?" Sharon leans over her son, blocking him protectively as she talks to the doctor.

"No, he's under sedation and the t piece will be attached to his intubation, we won't even have to touch him." The doctor reassures Sharon.

"O-okay, I'm still just really worried." Sharon sadly let's Stan's hand go as she and Randy are escorted out of the room.

Finally, after what seems like forever Sharon and Randy are called back to Stan's room. "You want to hold his hand and talk to him again?" Nurse Victoria asked.

"Yes." Sharon let's out a shaky breath and squeezes both his hands. "Stanley, Stanley the doctors and nurses are helping you so you can breathe, okay? I know it might be scary, but I know you can do this for me. You are such a good boy, such a strong boy. I am right here baby, and we will be one happy family again. You will play with Kyle, and I'll take you out for ice cream. We'll go to the toy store and the park. We need you to get better first. You can do it baby; mommy is right here."

Stan is tired again. He was terrified for a moment as the thing controlling him was taken away. He hears his mom's voice, and it is soothing but with a minor tone of fear. He tries to push through to squeeze her hand again.

Sharon tears up as she squeezes back and kisses his hand. She starts to sing to him in a soft voice. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,

you make me happy when skies are grey.

You never know dear how much I love you,

so don't take my sunshine away."

Stan squeezes his mom's hand again; he's trying to fight the thing and it hurts. The violet light clears a little more and he thinks he can see her face. His eyes open for a moment and he focuses on her before closing them again. He is so tired, but he doesn't want to be anymore. He tries to tell his mom he wants a hug. He's wondering if any sound can be heard. He wants to cry too but he can't even lift his eyes, the only thing he can do is squeeze his mom's hand back.

Sharon gasps in surprise at his eyes opening and instinctively wraps her arm around him, careful of the tubes and wires. She kisses his cheek. "Mommy loves you, never forget it. You strong brave boy. I love you, everything about you. Your big blue eyes. That beautiful dark hair, your sweet smile, that little nose."

Stan can relax with his mom's arm across him. It's a different pleasant feeling. Total comfort and security, even if his body hurts so bad. He takes a deep breath and feels like it's showing on the outside. He hopes his mom can feel it too.